Surrey Police has previously said it is treating the incident as suspicious.

The residents' recollections came as Raven Housing Trust, which manages the building, told residents not to leave objects in communal areas, with the fire starting in a pile of boxes outside a flat.

One resident said: "It was awful. The dog started barking and we thought 'oh, shut up'.

"I was in bed but my boyfriend turned the telly down and we could hear our neighbour's voice. We came out and there was smoke everywhere.

"I don't know what happened. Three fire engines, ambulances, police. It was a little fire but it could have been worse.

"If my boyfriend hadn't tried putting it out it would have been a lot worse than it was. The whole flat stinks still.

"As soon as you open the door it's all you can smell. I would not wish it on my worst enemy."

Fire crews from Epsom and Leatherhead put out the fire, which was in a small corridor outside two of the flats in the three-storey building managed by Raven Housing Trust.

Another resident said: "The first I knew was the sound of the alarm just before 9pm.

"I went into the hall and could smell something. I opened the front door and it was just full of smoke.

"They were my removal boxes. I only moved in three months ago and was saving them for a friend who is moving soon. It's a shock, it's upset me a bit.

"The emergency services were all really great and Raven have been really good. I think a lady came round on Saturday night and wanted to make sure everyone was OK.

"That night I slept in my sleeping bag under the duvet with the window open to get rid of the smell. I don't know what Raven will do to sort the smell."

Residents have suggested whether CCTV on the front door or a communal fire alarm could help prevent further incidents.

Raven Housing Trust, which manages the building, has said the front door is secure as well as the fire doors inside Merton and other blocks, with repairs being carried out on some communal doors.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The neighbourhood manager has asked for the block to be inspected weekly and is writing to people to explain how the fire started and what they can do to prevent fires in the future.

"It’s important to note that the fire started because a resident left cardboard in a communal area instead of keeping them in his flat. This is a matter for resident education, as we cannot be there all the time."

He added that the trust would remove items which blocked communal areas if residents did not move them when they were asked to.